On the second leg of the 2012 Vertical World Circuit®, Germany’s Thomas Dold, fresh from his 7th win on New York’s Empire State Building, will join a record 1,200 runners in Shelter’s Vertical Rush on March 1st on Tower 42 in the heart of London’s financial centre.

He will race up the 920 steps of the 199-metre building for the first time, together with élite runners from nine countries competing in the circuit. Look out for last year’s winner, Fabio Ruga from Italy and Belgian Omar Bekkali (ranked 6th and 5th respectively).

The women’s field looks set for an exciting challenge between last year’s winner, Cristina Bonacina from Italy and Australian Suzy Walsham, second in New York. The records to beat are 4’24” for men and 6’02” for women, set last year by Ruga and Bonacina.

Both Cristina Bonacina and Fabio Ruga will race wearing Vibram FiveFingers® - the latest footwear trend in verticalrunning. Grabbing hold of the hand rails also assists in propelling the runners skywards and in fact is part and parcel of this fascinating new discipline governed by the International Skyrunning Federation which has also carried out scientific research.

Dr Sergio Giulio Roi, medical director of the federation suggests: “Take the stairs two at a time. Don’t start too fast! It’s a long way up. Use the handrail to help pull your self up. Watch out though if you haven’t trained for this – your arms will hurt more than your legs!”

“Always take the lift down to avoid DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness),” he continues. The burning question everybody wants to know is, “how many calories will I burn?” Dr Roi explains. “Of course it’s all relative, the overall energy expenditure of the exercise depends on your weight. The more you weigh, the more you burn! Let’s say a person weighs 70 kg: the energy consumed in ascending the 920 steps of the tower is around 140 calories, while a person weighing 90 kg will burn just under 180 calories. If you multiply your weight by two you’ll have a rough idea of how many calories you’ll consume in the race.”

“As it’s a such a short race, recovery is fast. Treat yourself to a relaxing massage, or a sauna afterwards!” he concludes.

And while the City goes about its daily business on Thursday morning the world’s top skyscraper racers together with 1,200 runners will battle to the top of Tower 42 to raise money for Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity in one of theCircuit’s most spectacular venues.